Local Binghamton Area News Recap: What You May Have Missed

Whether you lead a busy life or don't get to find out all that's happening news-wise in our community, this is why each week we recap in an article some of the essential local news we reported on 1290 AM, 92.1 FM, and 93.9 FM WNBF, our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations, as well as on our websites and social media platforms.

Catch up on the latest local and regional news in a short recap we reported for the week of October 5, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Construction Worker Hurt in Vestal Parkway Paving Project

(Bob Joseph)
Vestal police were investigating an incident in which a person was injured in an active work zone on Route 434. A witness said a woman who was working on a resurfacing project on the Vestal Parkway apparently was "run over" by a piece of heavy equipment. The incident happened around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday in the westbound lanes of Route 434 between Airborne Avenue and the Route 26 exit ramp. Crews have been milling and paving a section of the busy parkway this week. The work is being done with single-lane traffic being maintained through the work zone. According to Vestal police, initial reports indicated the woman who was a flagger in the work zone was knocked down by a sweeper that was backing up. The equipment then apparently continued over the worker.

Binghamton Mayor Expresses Skepticism Over Salvation Army Plan

(Bob Joseph)
Mayor Jared Kraham says he shares some of the concerns being expressed by Binghamton residents about the sale of a closed supermarket building. The Salvation Army is preparing to acquire a South Side property where a grocery store had operated for more than six decades. Representatives of the Salvation Army have told city planning commission members the organization wants to use the former supermarket as a warehouse and distribution center. It would also have a thrift store, replacing a shop the Salvation Army had operated on Griswold Street. Mayor Kraham said he's heard "a lot of skepticism" about the plan from South Side residents. He said, "We're taking a very large commercial property that is probably the best chance for that neighborhood to have a grocery store in the future." He also noted the property would be removed from the tax rolls if the Salvation Army buys it. He said, "That's a concern I would have."

What Is Deed Fraud And How It Targets Homeowners

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Clerk's Office released information, warning Broome County residents of rising deed fraud concerns. County Clerk Aaron Martin, local attorneys including Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti, and representatives from the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS ®, joined in the announcement. According to the announcement, Deed fraud, which is also referred to as home title theft, occurs when a person records a fake or forged deed with the clerk's office, making it appear in public records as though they now own your property. County Clerk Martin noted that the fraud begins before the deed is delivered for filing at the County Clerk’s Office, typically through the real estate transaction. The Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS ® has created and disbursed to its members a best practices document to help prevent the fraud before it begins.

Tractor Supply Company Drills for Water in Owego

(Bob Joseph)
Relief is coming for a long-awaited new store in Tioga County that has been unable to open because it did not have a water supply. Construction of the Tractor Supply Company store on Route 434 in the town of Owego was completed late last year. But Veolia - the company that provides water to nearby homes - balked at providing service to the new store. Veolia was concerned that water pressure for other customers could have been adversely affected. Owego town supervisor Gary Hellmers last spring said Tractor Supply officials decided to drill a well and install two water storage tanks on its property. Work on the project was delayed until the pumps needed for the system were available. Crews in recent days have started working on drilling the well. Tractor Supply Company originally planned to start operating the Owego store last January, but the water debacle has delayed the opening by a year.

Binghamton May Consider Removing Rockbottom Dam

(Bob Joseph)
The Rockbottom Dam, which has been a fixture in the Susquehanna River for two centuries, might become a thing of the past. Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham on Friday said he believes it's time for the city to consider removing the low-head dam. The mayor said the dam continues to pose a "huge safety risk" for the downtown district and prevents people from safely using the river. Kraham said after reading a news story about a growing movement across the country to remove this type of dam, he started to explore the idea. He said he contacted the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the nonprofit group American Rivers. The mayor told WNBF News he believes there could be significant environmental benefits and big benefits for first responders who engage in river rescue operations.

Road Work Across Southern Tier Continues

(Don Morgan)
Road work continues throughout the Southern Tier as we head into the middle of October. There are some of the many projects happening this week and beyond, including the Vestal Highway Department performing shoulder work on Sheedy Road, beginning at Countrygate Blvd and ending approximately a quarter mile to the east. Traffic is reduced to one lane in the work zone.  Weather permitting, the work should be completed within two weeks. Click on the headline for other road work projects in the Southern Tier.

Johnson City Square Deal Arch Reassembly Job Delayed

(Bob Joseph)
The on-again, off-again restoration project for the Square Deal Arch in Johnson City has been paused. A section of Main Street at the village border with Binghamton was closed on Monday for the long-anticipated reassembly of the historic structure. Some large precast concrete pieces arrived at the site on Tuesday. Crews used cranes to begin the process of putting the arch back together. But the work was halted after a short time when some problems developed. Mayor Christina Charuk said some incorrect measurements were discovered and the job was put on hold. The mayor said the affected pieces were transported back to the Rochester-area company that did the work. She said she is expecting "a relatively quick turnaround."

New York Deer Hunting Season Dates For October 2026

(Don Morgan)
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, throughout most of the Southern Zone, early bowhunting season for deer began October 1st and continues through November 20th. In the Northern Zone, the season opened on September 27th and ends at the end of the day on October 23rd. For those who participate in the early muzzleloading season for deer, the Northern Zone season runs from October 17th through the 23rd, and the regular firearms season begins October 24th through December 6th.

Big Expansion for Vestal Parkway Grocery Store

(Bob Joseph)
A Vestal shop that carries a wide array of food items, including authentic Indian groceries, is growing. Rakesh Kumar, owner of Indian Bazaar Vestal, says he began working on the business expansion project about four months ago. The store operates in a commercial complex on the Vestal Parkway East at Airborne Avenue. Kumar opened Indian Bazaar in a 3,000-square-foot section of the building in May 2024. The store set up operations next door to the space that had been occupied for decades by JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. That store moved to another Vestal Parkway location in 2023 but soon closed when the company went out of business. Kumar said things have been going well at Indian Bazaar, so he decided to expand his business into the unoccupied space that had been used by JoAnn Fabrics. He said significant renovations have been made, including new flooring and office space.